Elias
Of course.
I met your friend Marie on my way here.
Heileen
And...?
Elias
I will gladly come back with her to visit you.
Heileen
Ah, with Marie. Of course.
Elias
Excuse me, but I have to go.
Just rest, and everything will be fine.
*Monologue*
I thank him again, and he leaves my cabin.
Well... What an intriguing person, even though he's somewhat old.
I can't believe I've never seen him before!
Though... There's too much of an age difference between us.
A pity.
*Monologue*
Marie often paid a visit during my convalescence.
I must admit, she's a really good friend.
<knock> <knock>
Heileen
Who is it?
Marie
It's me. Marie. May I come in?
Heileen
Of course. I was just thinking about you!
Marie
Oh really? Funny, I was just thinking about
you.
Heileen
H-hello, lots of people!
I wasn't expecting this...
Elias
It seems like you feel much better already. Or am I wrong?
Heileen
actually, I can almost walk.
Lora
Doctor Elias is really skilled, don't you think?
Heileen
Yes...
Lora
And even good looking!
What more can we ask?
*Monologue*
Lora looks at Elias and winks.
Did he just give her a small smile?
Bah! Lora's really hopeless! Poor Otto...
Marie
We came to invite you for tonight.
Heileen
Invite me? To what?
Marie
There'll be a celebration on the bridge.
Music, dancing, and so on.
Heileen
But I can't dance yet...
Elias
Yes, but you can still honor us with your fine presence.
Lora
Well said!
You don't want to leave me there all alone, with all the men on this ship drooling after me...
Lora
Oh, I meant... Us. Marie and I, of course! She has this certain charm...
Marie
Shut up, you!
Heileen
<laughing> Stop, both of you!
If this is how you two will act at the party, I think I'll stay inside until tomorrow!
Lora
Oh, no, you
must absolutely come!
Elias
We'll be waiting for you tonight.
Heileen
All right.
*Monologue*
Lora and Elias leave, but Marie stays.
Marie
I was playing with Black on the bridge...
Black
Meow! Meow! Try to catch me!
Marie
Bad cat!
Heileen
The hold?! That's dangerous, Marie!
Marie
Dangerous?
Heileen
Well, all the sailors sleep there... And if they feel like it...
Marie
Well, I didn't see anyone... Maybe they were all sleeping somewhere else... Or drinking and gambling...
I heard Lora's voice!
Heileen
What? Down there?
Marie
Yes! She was talking to someone.
Heileen
Who?
Marie
I couldn't tell...
I got nervous and ran away.
Heileen
Are you sure you couldn't tell who she was talking to?
Marie
Maybe it was from a foreign language...
Heileen
Which word?
Marie
Ebelle... or Ebele... or Ebbele... Something like that.
Now that I think about it better, I'm almost sure she said "Ebele".
Heileen
Hmmm... I'm curious as to what it means.
Marie
Yes. I'm curious too.
But we can't ask Lora directly.
She might think I was following her.